I’m here
“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.” – Frida Kahlo, Painter
photo by Mark Holleron
This blog has been a way for me to move more consciously through life, to peek into the unexplored corners of my flawed soul and to reach out into the dark to see if there is anyone else out there like me. Turns out there is and inside these collected writings and inside your wonderful comments lies evidence of all of that and more.
Just over two years ago, I posted my first piece of writing on this blog and today I post my last. I am grateful I found you and that you found me. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made along the way, but now it’s time for new beginnings.
I’ve tiptoed around my dream of writing a novel for a couple of decades now and blogging has helped me tiptoe a little longer. It’s time to set blogging aside, along with all of the lovely diversions that come with it, and take a leap of faith.
“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” – Henry David Thoreau, Writer, Naturalist, Philosopher
Momentum ebbs, flows, shifts and gathers. I hope it is gathering in good ways in your life. If you are new here, stay a while and have a look around. If you are one of my lovely readers, I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. I hope to share my novel with you all one day soon.
Listen to your heart and if you hear something calling, don’t be afraid to take that leap in the dark to your success. It’s never too late.
I’m here if you need me.
With love,
Katie, I’m so excited to some day read your novel. Please let us all know when it is done, so I can continue to share the lovely way you deliver words as images to the world. I’m also proud of you for leaping in and clearing out the diversions. I completely understand, and look forward to hearing from you again! Marci
Thank you Marci. I will let you know when it’s done. My novel is a world very much removed from this one. A rather dark piece about love and hate with some pretty rough language and explicit scenes, so I’m not sure how many of those who enjoy my blog will find resonance in my novel, but as I say in my bio, I’m both raunchy and sweet — both are a part of me. Thank you for the encouragement and for always being here. I have enjoyed our exchanges very much.
I’ll look forward to reading it, darkness and all. You have a way with words wherever you take them. I’ve enjoyed all of you.
Thanks for that, Marci.
I will wait for your novel, but if you have time please have time to blog anyway it’s your first move in the field of writing.
Hi Steve, I appreciate the encouragement to keep blogging but I find much more joy in moving in new directions that invigorate my soul, than continuing with something that feels distracting and not truly aligned with who I am. I used to write films, had some produced, I’ve written marketing materials, so I was a writer long before blogging, but I’ve always gravitated towards fiction. Who knows what will come next.
Thank you for all that you have shared…it was wonderful to connect with you through your insights and reflections
And, thank you for taking a leap of faith…as always, it is not what we write, but how we choose to live that reflects the deepest meaning.
Well said!
Lovely sentiment, Joy. Actions do sometimes speak louder than words, and leaping into action is easy when you love what you’re leaping into.
Katie, you will be missed and I completely understand those “leaps of faith”, and how you must give them time and space.
Good luck with your writing! I know that you will succeed and inspire as always. You have inspired me over the two years. Thanks.
How sweet of you to say, Gay. I am honoured that you stuck with me for two years and deeply grateful that I was able to offer you some inspiration. Blogging has been a thoroughly rewarding experience that I will never forget.
Katie, a little gasp escaped my lips when I read this would be your last blog post…I value and look forward to your blog so much! But I admire your determination to plunge ahead in different direction, (and I can’t wait to read your novel). Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to contribute to the world.
Lisa, thank you for being so kind and for showering me with such high praise. I think what you’ve done is pretty special for people with CFS and you should be very proud of the messages of comfort and advice that you share across the internet. Good luck to you in your future online endeavours and beyond. Thanks for being there and for reading.
Katie, You were there when I first ventured out on the blogging road. You were mentioned in one of my first posts. You will be missed. Thanks for all you’ve done and good luck with your novel. As you know you will still need a platform of which blogging is one part in order to be able to market yourself when you decide to seek publication. So I ask you to keep the contacts you’ve made during this phase of your writing career.
Congrats on keeping on writing!
Clarike, thank you for following me from the start. I will definitely keep my list of subscribers handy so that I can let you all know when the novel is ready. Thanks so much for the long time support. I means a lot. xo
Best of luck & thanks for all you’ve shared.
Thanks so much, Kathryn.
Katie you are so inspiring. I have a very special adult daughter and wish with all my heart that she could meet likeminded people like you and your followers
Thank you Lorraine. I hope your daughter finds those people in her life. I wish the same thing for my daughter who turns twenty this year and becomes a woman I am more proud of with each passing day.
Leap and fly in the direction of your heart Katie.
Your blog has been a gift to its readers.
I loved that quote “We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” I am happy you are listening to your intuition and taking the leap away from distraction and into complete focus for the completion of your novel. I do hope you let me know when its available to read.
Wishing you wild success and deepest fulfillment!
Aileen, it’s been great meeting you, first in the club, then in Vegas. Sounds kind of like we’re party animals so I’ll clarify. The A-List Blogging Club and the Blogworld Conference in Vegas. It’s been fun to see you grow as a blogger, dancer and online personality. Best of luck to you, dear Aileen, in all that you do and all that you hope for. xo
Thank-you and much joy to you.
Cathy, thanks for always popping by with a smile. Much joy to you too.
Hi Katie,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Best of luck with the novel. Take care.
Thank you for reading and for your encouragement. Take care.
One must always listen to their heart when one feels distracted. In following your blogging, I could sense you were changing direction. I whole heartedly applaud your new found focus. You have written about your book in the past, and yes it is time to just do it. You and I started blogging about the same time and both went through the A-list boot camp, so I find it interesting to observe your direction. My book has been done these last two years and I have not published it at this writing. Blogging does get in the way of other necessary things, but this IS the year! We shall both just do it! It is hard to do it all and focus without becoming distracted. Good luck dear Katie and thank you for your beautiful words and inspiration.
Michelle, you are so right. I have been weaving my way around this topic for some time and now it’s time to just do it. It’s fabulous to have “met” inspiring go-getters such as yourself who never give up. I hope your blogging journey is one that brings you great satisfaction and joy. Mine definitely has. And most definitely, let’s get our books out there this year. Good luck, Michelle and thanks for being such an active, loyal reader. I’m grateful.
Katie,
I will really miss reading your blog! Thank you for all the inspiration. Best wishes and good luck
Thanks for saying so, Mistie. Best wishes to you as well xo
Hi Katie,
I’m sad to hear that this is the last post
But I’m also very happy that it’s because you’re going to work on your novel and follow your dreams.
I can only wish you the best of luck from the bottom of my heart and you can be sure I’ll be one of first in line to read your masterpiece when it’s done!
Jessica, I’m so glad we crossed paths. I hope you are happy and following your dreams. I wish you the best. xo
good luck with the novel. you are wise – focus on what is important, and put everything else on pause
I’ve been contemplating the same recently. let’s see
enjoy writing!
Noch Noch
Noch Noch, thank you for your best wishes and kind support over the past year. I hope your contemplations lead you somewhere interesting and exciting. Enjoy your writing as well. It’s been lovely having you as a reader.
Katie, it’s been such a joy and inspiration to read your always beautiful words here on your blog. One of my personal favourites was your ‘inner cowgirl’ post – possibly the first of yours that I read!
Your writing is just beautiful, and I look forward to hearing news of your novel.
Wishing you joy and success as you follow the calling of your heart.
And thankyou. For being here. And for being such a wonderful blogger to ‘meet’!
Thank you so much for the sweet message, Brigid. You’ve been here too and I truly appreciate that. All the best to you in all you do and dream of doing.
Hi Katie,
I’m new here and I like it already. I hope to see your novel soon because if it’s anything like this post, I will love reading it.
Hey there Demian, I appreciate the kind words. I’m working away on the novel and hope to be able to share it within the year. It is very different from my blog in tone and style so not a lot like this post. If you subscribe using the links on the top right side, when I am ready I’ll send out an announcement. Or just check in once in a while. Cheers.
Momentum gathered ~ time to do something incredible with it <3
Thanks for everything ~
Jane
You are a ray of sunshine, Jane. Thank you too, for every teeny tiny piece, for every wish and blessing you’ve sent my way. It was, is and always will be appreciated. xo
I just discovered your blog. What a gift. Enjoy writing your novel!
Thank you so much Jonathan. Enjoy.
Katie…
Wishing you so much joy and happiness in the journey you are on.
Life is such a precious thing, and I sense very much from this – that you are “seeing” that preciousness…and embracing its possibilities.
Sending love and joy and all sorts of goodness your way….
Lance
xo
Lance, thank you for always being such a bright light in my blogging journey. I am blessed to have crossed paths with you. xo
Great article, thank you! Definitely gets me inspired to write my own content.
I wish you luck in your journey to write the novel you have been waiting to write for so long!
Thank you Gaston. A double whammy, being able to inspire and being encouraged at the same time. I appreciate both sentiments and wish you luck in your journey as well.
Katie,
Thanks for the many great posts and good luck in this next chapter of your life.
Lorie, thanks for stopping by and wishing me luck. Big hugs to you.
Katie,
I’m going through my own real change everything right now.
I miss your writing.
Aloha wags!
Jt
Jt, thanks for being here. Change can be hard, but sometimes you come out the other side more yourself. Good luck to you, friend.
Hello Katie, I do hope I can get hold of your novel with an autograph on it.I want to collect books or novel books with the authors signature on it.
I always listen other people hearts. I really enjoyed what you sharing here and your novel as well. I like the people know their direction and achieve their goals. Enjoyed your journey.